However, a publicly listed Canadian high tech company, S.C.O. Medallion Healthy Homes Ltd. (CNQ-MEDA) has pioneered an inexpensive treatment for this largely misunderstood but potentially lethal phenomenon. This is why Medallion is the leading provider of indoor pollution eradication solutions across Canada. Expansion into a lucrative, largely untapped marketplace in the U.S. is the company’s next strategic milestone initiative.  

SmallCapMedia has therefore selected for special consideration this enterprising newcomer to the nascent Canadian National Quotation (CNQ) over-the-counter stock market. We believe that Medallion is at the forefront of modern science’s epic challenge to prevent a not-too-distant North American pandemic in the making.

However, let’s put matters in their proper perspective. In particular, we don’t want to sound as alarmist as a television media that loves to dwell on such overblown and politically-infused health threats as Mad Cow Disease and SARS. Indeed, countless North Americans have become accustomed to worrying about such perils as they watch the television news each night in the apparent safety of their own homes.

Meanwhile, many of them are silently being attacked where they feel safest by legions of environmental pollutants. Some of these toxins can trigger asthma or allergy attacks or lead to chronic illnesses. Others can even kill. This growing, New Age health problem is in fact a political and environmental ‘time bomb.’ So far, however, government agencies, the private sector and the media, alike, are not yet ready to face its dire implications.

Just consider this. A total of 8,100 people worldwide were infected from the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acquired Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003. And 744 of them died, most of who were Chinese senior citizens. Globally, this statistic represents only one fatality for every 750 million people. Furthermore, only eight people were eventually infected in the U.S. -- all of whom recovered. Nonetheless, the media had a feeding frenzy with the SARS story, fueling everyone’s fears. In turn, North American health authorities reacted forcefully by implementing all manner of draconian measures to insulate society against this foreign menace.

Meanwhile, a far more insidious home-grown health threat – Sick Building Syndrome – continues to be largely ignored. Maybe that’s because it has already permeated every level of our society. It has become a universal enemy by creeping into many of the indoor environments where most of us spend 90% of our time. And its impact is already taking a heavy toll.

Already, North America has close to 20 million documented severe asthma sufferers – a number which has virtually tripled in the last two decades. And the situation is growing worse every year. Chronic allergies are also becoming an epidemic, with up to 50 million sufferers. Together, these figures amount to about one in every 4.5 people. What’s truly amazing is that medical experts are now suggesting that most allergies and many asthma conditions are triggered by ‘Sick Building Syndrome.’ In fact, up to 3,000 indoor pollutants have now been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the various culprits.

So, what exactly are we up against? Well, some of the most common pollutants found in various homes and workplaces are molds, mildew, yeasts, bacteria and viruses, as well as dust mites. Of particular concern are the fungus-related molds and mildew that release spores into the air, especially in areas where the humidity levels are high, such as kitchens, bathrooms and basements. These sometimes highly toxic spores are so microscopic that about 250,000 can fit on the head of a pin. And up to 750,000 of them can be inhaled every 60 seconds.

However, many of us don’t believe that we are at risk as we live and work in climate-controlled, ‘clean’ environments. Rather, we associate molds and mildew with dank, poorly-lit old wooden homes. Yet, modern buildings can pose a far greater threat as so many of them are designed to be airtight and energy-efficient. In other words, there is no inflow of fresh air. Instead, air-conditioning and heating systems continue to recirculate stale, contaminated air. Tens of millions of tiny spores, as well as noxious chemical gases and smells, can thus permeate every corner of our homes.

Likewise, bacteria and viruses can be transmitted from one person to the next through indoor ventilation systems or humidifiers. As we will discuss later on, molds are the underlying cause of most ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ associated illnesses, some of which have been proven lethal.

Spores are not the only potential problem. There are also chemical contaminants to consider. Modern homes and offices are typically built out of synthetic materials and furnishings that contain all manner of toxic chemicals that seep out over time. This ‘leakage’ process is known as degassing and the release of such toxic vapors can last for weeks to months and sometimes even years. It typically occurs with new carpets, sofas, drapes, wall paints and counter coverings. 

In particular, one of the most prevalent chemicals used modern in buildings is formaldehyde which can be found in pressed wood products, such as wall paneling, interior cabinets and furniture, as well as in many types of insulation. Formaldehyde in high concentrations can trigger asthma attacks and has also now been linked to cancer. Another commonly used chemical, toluene, is used in paints and adhesives for household fixtures. It is now being blamed for birth defects.

The end result of this organic and chemical toxic onslaught is that indoor levels of air pollution are often 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels, according to the EPA.  In fact, the EPA ranks indoor pollution as one of the top five environmental risks to public health.

The good news is that Medallion’s proprietary treatment decontaminates the degassing process, as well as killing an army of organic pollutants. The company’s safe, natural process involves treating the ‘sick’ buildings with super-charged oxygen, in combination with ultraviolet ray production, to produce ozone. Medallion’s state-of-the-art ozone generators produce high levels of clean ‘nitric oxide free” ozone by way of what the company refers to as ‘Ozone Shock Therapy’. A highly powerful oxidizing agent, ozone is 5,000 times faster and more effective than chlorine as a bacterial and viral disinfectant.

After one treatment, which is about four to six hours in duration, the toxic soup of harmful vapours should be rendered harmless. In highly polluted areas a 12 hour treatment may be required and in heavily infected mold areas a full remediation program is very likely. The outcome is a safe indoor environment with clean, uncontaminated air. The proprietary treatment is the only known method of destroying the broad spectrum of pollutants that cause Sick Building Syndrome. Medallion boasts a very impressive 96% success rate. The only failures occur in rare instances where complex contamination cannot be isolated i.e. the inflow and outflow of air cannot be temporarily sealed off.

Ozone Shock Therapy will also eliminate the source of most foul and offensive odors in the home. That includes cooking smells, pet odors, and chemical smells produced by household cleaning agents. Similarly, ozone treatment can also remove the type of odors that can induce headaches, nasal congestion and nausea such as cigarette smoke, food spices, perfumes and even diesel exhaust. It works equally well at alleviating the musty smell in boats, recreation vehicles and as well as sports equipment. It can also be used to help eliminate the sometimes overpowering and toxic fumes from new automobiles, furniture and carpeting.

Once a home is thoroughly inspected and then treated by certified technicians, it is issued with a ‘Certified Healthy Home’ approval – an accreditation that can add tangible value to a home’s real estate appraisal, as well as peace of mind for its inhabitants

So who really is most at risk from these various indoor pollutants? Well, consider this. A 1999 study conducted at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota attributed mold as the cause of nearly all the chronic sinus infections afflicting at least 37 million Americans. Dr. David Sherris of the Mayo Clinic concluded that mold is responsible for well over 90% of all chronic sinusitis infections. As previously mentioned, other recent studies have linked molds to an alarming tripling of the asthma rate over the past 20 years. Doctors have long warned that certain allergens can worsen patient’s asthma, triggering or exacerbating attacks of breathlessness. Through the weakening of one’s immune system, molds can even increase susceptibility to colds and influenza.

Furthermore, the rate of allergic rhinitis, commonly known as ‘hay fever’, has risen about 30% just in the last decade. Up to a staggering two out of every five U.S. citizens are now afflicted with this condition, which is typified by nasal congestion and runny eyes. Of an estimated 40-50 million American allergy sufferers, the majority of them have dust mites in their homes. The unpleasant truth of the matter is that these peoples’ allergic reactions are predominantly triggered by the feces of dust mites. When they become airborne, these microscopic droppings are known to be particularly irritating to asthmatic children.

Most troubling of all, the presence of molds in homes is often synonymous with children experiencing chronic respiratory symptoms, recurrent infections or persistent fatigue and headaches. Infants and people recovering from surgery, as well as others who have weak immune systems, are very susceptible to the opportunistic bacteria and viruses spread by mold spores.

Extremely toxic spores are called mycotoxins. Fortunately, they tend to be rare but nonetheless are often lethal. Exposure to these tiny invaders is particularly hard to diagnose. One type of mold called Stachybotrys is known to cause pulmonary hemorrhage in children, sometimes killing them. Certain fungi can also release highly toxic gases in the home. For instance, fungus growing on wallpaper tends to release the highly toxic gas, arsine, from pigments that contain arsenic.

Allergic reactions are the most common health problems associated with indoor pollutants, particularly from the inhalation of spores. Symptoms are often flu-like such as sneezing, runny eyes and nose, nasal congestion, coughing, headaches, fatigue, dizziness and even breathing difficulties. Other symptoms include dermatitis (skin rash), cognitive impairment, diarrhea, and compromised immune systems, making some people especially susceptible to opportunistic infections and viruses.

All told, there are over 100,000 known species of fungi. Molds, mildews and yeasts are all types of fungi which feed off of other decaying organic material. Molds are typically the most common of these home invaders. They tend to be downy or furry growths that are white-green, blue-green and dark brown in colour and can grow anywhere where there is moisture. However, molds’ favourite breeding grounds are consistently damp places. This includes behind walls and under flooring, above ceiling tiles, in heating systems and air-conditioning ducts and anywhere else that they can feed on wet cellulose materials. Fungi will also feed on household and personal items such as laundry hampers, damp shoes, kitchen food preparation residues, damp sporting equipment and so forth.

Mildew is usually a thin, furry coating that is often whitish in colour. Each tiny concentration of mold or mildew produces up to tens of millions of spores that are released into the air. Again, these spores cause everything from itchy eyes to fatigue or even bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, as well as asthma attacks.

Most importantly, fungi flourish in modern energy-efficient, climate-controlled homes and offices which are characterized by excessive humidity levels. Indeed, the reduction of fresh air ventilation in most modern living spaces is what causes these higher humidity levels. Furthermore, dirty filters in vent systems and dirty air ducts affected by condensation merely exacerbate the propagation of airborne pollutants. The EPA estimates that up to 50% of homes contain problem molds. Destroying their source of food is the only way to stop spore, germ, parasite, bacteria and virus production.

Once the source of food is eliminated and the indoor environment is treated you have the base to work from in keeping a healthy place to live and work. Medallion then will assist you in keeping the air supply clean and contaminant free by installing a UV Germicidal System in your air ducts and air conditioning system. This cleanses the air prior to it entering the indoors and assists you in maintaining a “Healthy Home.”

S.C.O. Medallion Healthy Homes is presided over by Mr. Don Schmidt who was one of Vancouver’s top-performing realtors for nearly two decades prior to joining Medallion. He is also a successful land developer.

Mr. Schmidt therefore benefits from an extensive knowledge of the building industry, as well as the housing market. His insights and well-established business relationships will no doubt help Medallion to exponentially expand its marketplace across North America during the next few years.

At the same time, Medallion’s mandate to educate the public about the dangers of ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ is addressing important social and political imperatives. Meanwhile, the company’s business model is expected to grow from strength to strength as North Americans increasingly seize the initiative to ensure healthier living and working environments.

On a technical note, Medallion is a newly-listed public company that has yet to show up on the radar screens of most investors and stock brokers, alike. Hence, its modest share price. However, the company has a relatively tight share structure with approximately 21.1 million shares outstanding (30.7 million fully diluted). Such a scenario, matched with positive news flow, typically acts as a catalyst to higher share price valuations.

In summary, SmallCapMedia believes that S.C.O. Medallion Healthy Homes is an unchallenged leader in an emerging marketplace for safe, cost-efficient solutions for the remediation of polluted indoor environments. The number of Americans, alone, affected by ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ is now estimated to be well over 50 million. And as the health toll continues to climb to epidemic proportions, Medallion is primed to become a ‘household name’ to anyone who is committed to living and working in a healthy indoor environment.